Vibrating screen



Feb. 4, 1936. w, WETTLAUFER 2,029,848-

VIBRATING SCREEN INVENTOR ATTORN EYS Feb- 4, 1936@ w. L. WETTLAUFER 2,029,348

VIBRATING SCREEN Filed Nov, 30, 1932- 4 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR Wzz'amll. l/.laafa ATTORNEYSV Feb; 4, 1936.

Filed NOV. 30, 193.?,

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I M 61 @0 "Il 342V-- f I I I ``54 l I 1y/a W I u* II INVENToR Zf/'Zam' Zlefa ATTORNEYS Feb. 4, 1936. w. L. WETTLAUFER VIBRATING SICREEN 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 30, 1932 zal /aofya Mc fgov/.4, ATTORN EYS Patented Feb. 4, 1936 UNITED STATES 2,029,848 vIBaA'rI'NG SCREEN William L. Wettlaufer, Buffalo, N. Y.,

The W. S. Tyler Company, Cleveland,

corporation of Ohio' l Application November 30,

assigner to Ohio. a

1932, serial No'. 645.015

2 Claims. (Cl. 209-237) A `'I'his invention .relates to apparatus forgrading materials and more particularly the invention is concerned with improvements in apparatus of the kind generally described in which the grading of the materials is eiiected by vibrating screens.

One object of the invention is to provide apparatus in which the intensity of the screen vibrations may be regulated at will.

, A further object is to provide apparatus where-r in the material is maintained in a state of uni-` form distribution over the screening surfaces.

A still further object is to provide apparatus in which the material is caused to move continuously over the screening surfaces insuch a manner as to prevent its accumulation at any particular point.

A still further object4 is to provide apparatus which is so designed that the movement of the material over the screening surfaces may be controlled.

A still further object is to provide a novel mechanism for-vibrating the screening surfaces.

A still further object is to provide a novel ar-l rangement of the parts of the apparatus, whereby a simple and economical construction is obtained.

The invention is illustrated in ing drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus in which features of the invention are incorporated.

Figure 2 is a section takenv along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken along line 3-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the clutch mechanism and is taken along line 4--4 of Figure 2, the mechanism being shown in one vof its operative positions.' Figure`5 is a similar view of the clutch mechanism showing the relation of the partsl at a point in advance of ltheposition shown in Figure 4.

. Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the clutch mechanism, the said mechanism being shown ina second operative position- Figure '7 is a vertical section through the apparatus and is taken along line 1--1 oi Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view illustrating a modined form of .cross head. l

Figure 9 is a top view of an end of the cross head.

Figure l is an end the cross head.

Figure l1 is a fragmentarysectional view of a modified form of, vibrating mechanism.

the accompanyview of the opposite end of the vhousing by POSts Figure 12 is a bottom plane view of a part of the said mechanism.. 1

The invention is illustrated in connection with a machine which is designed primarily for testingpurposes. It is to be understood, however, that this is solely by way of illustration as the features of the invention are equally applicable to industrial apparatus of regulation capacity.

'Ihe apparatus, as illustrated, includes a plurality of superposed screen boxes I which may be of any suitable construction. Each of the said boxes, as illustrated, includes a screen cloth I6. The cloth is secured by its margins in a channelshaped groove which is provided by a bead I1 (Figure 7), the bead being suitably formed in the side walls of the box. vThe lower margin I8 of the side walls of each box is adapted to nt in the mouth of the box below, the bead I1 forming a shoulder by which an upper box is supported upon a lower box. The boxes I5 are arranged as a unit upon a plate I9 and are secured thereon by a cross bar 20. The plate I9 is notched at opposite sides as at 2i to accommodate a pair of rods 22 which are arranged atA opposite sides of the boxes I5, and whichv comprise a portion of the framework in which the screen boxes are carried. The rods 22 are carried by a flat ring 23 which is supported upon a plate 24 by pulleys 25. The plate 2l is carried by the housing of an electric motor 21, the plate being-supported from 28 kand being, formed with an opening. through which the drive shaft 3D of the motor extends. The motor 21 is suitably secured in a hanger 3l which is formed with arms 32, the latter being arranged at opposite sides of the motor and being `suspended from shafts 33 between the frame members 34 of a supporting structure. As the hanger 3I is pivotally mounted in the supporting structure, the motor 21 and hence the screen bearing framev carried thereby may be arranged at the angle` desired. The motor 21 may be utilized to counterbalance the weight frame, whereby to hold' of the screen bearing the said frame in any position to which itmay be adjusted.

I9 is supported -upon coil springs The plate 35. The latter are arranged over the rods 22 between the plate I9 and nuts 36 which are carried by the said rods. It will be apparent, therefore, that the plate I9 and screen boxes I5 are yieldingly supported upon -the springs 35. The cross bar 20 is suspended from a cross head 38 by a threaded rod 31, the said cross head being arranged between the rods 22 and being adjustably secured thereto by suitable fastening means The rod 31 is aldjustably mounted in a split nut 39 which is lcarried by the cross head 38. Adjustment of the rod 31 inthe said nut may be eiected by a hand wheel 40 and the said rod may be locked in its adjusted position by a tapered element 39a which is carried by a screw 39h. The said element may be adjusted to wedge the two halves of the nut 39 against the rod 31 and hold it against further movement. The rod 31 is connected to the cross bar 20 by a housing 4I which includes upper and lower sections 42 and 43 respectively. 'Ihe said rod extends into the housing 4I and the reduced end 45 thereof carries a washer 46. The latter is arranged upon the reduced end of the rod between a shoulder 41 and a spring 44. The hou'sing 4I is secured upon the rod 31 by a cross pin 31a. The hand wheel 40 may be adjusted to raise and lower the barV 29, the said bar being suitably notched at its ends as at 20a, whereby it may be adjusted up and down upon the rods 22 in the manner described. When the bar 20 is raised the screen boxes may be arranged upon the plate I9. Thereafter the hand wheel 49 may be operated to lower the bar 20 upon the screen boxes. Further movement of the hand wheel 46 in the same direction causes the spring 44 to be compressed. As the said bar is urged against the topmost of the screen boxes by the spring 44 the pressure which is applied to the bar 2i! is transmitted to the boxes and the latter are forced downwardly against the action of the springs 35. The plate I 9, as best shown in Figure 3 carries a plurality of upwardly projecting elements 48 and 49. The former are arranged to engagethe screen boxes I5 and prevent their lateral movement upon the plate I9. In the various embodiments of the invention illustrated the screen boxes I5 are cylindrical in shape and the elements 48 therefor are arranged to cooperate with screen boxes of this shape. The invention also contemplates the use of screen boxes of rectangular shape. The elements 49, therefore, are arranged to co-operate with the elements 48 in order to condition the apparatus so that rectangular boxes may be secured upon the plate I9, such a box being indicated in dotted lines at 50 in Figure 3.

Means is provided whereby vthe boxes I5 may be vibrated in order to facilitate the grading of the material. To this end the shaft 30 of the motor 21 carries a rotor 5I. Spring loaded elements 52 are arranged in a circular series of chambers 53 which are formed in the said rotor. The elements 52, as illustrated in Figure 7, carry inserts 54 which preferably are of maple or a similar hard wood and which have been soaked in oil. The elements 52 co-operate with a member 55 which is held against the underside of the plate I 9. The said member 55 is provided with a squared end 56 which ts in an opening 51 formed in the plate .I9, whereby it is held against rotation. The member 55 is formed with ratchet-like elevations and depressions 58 and 59, respectively, with which the elements 52 cooperate.

The plate I9 is supported by the springs 35 in such relation to the elements 52 that the latter are urged against the member 55 by their springs 52a. Upon energization of the motor 21 the rotor 5| is preferably caused to rotate at a relatively high speed, a speed for example of the order of 1200 R. P. M. As the rotor 5I rotates the elements 52 ride up the elevations of the member 55 and then under the influence vby the plate I9 when,

, ing the intensity may be regulated of their springs are caused to strike the depressions of the member 55 with considerable force when they pass beyond the elevations. Hence, assuming a motor speed of 1200 R. P. M., then 3600 impulses will be imparted to the member 55 and hence to the screen boxes carried as illustrated, the rotor carries three of the elements 52 and there is a companion elevation and depression for each of the said elementsj A`4Each impulse causes the member I9 and screen boxes I5 carried thereby to move upwardly against the action of the cross bar 20 which, owing to the spring 44, tends vto counteract such movement. These impulses tend to throw the material above the screening surfaces of the boxes I5, the severity of such action and the height to which the material is thrown, when it is thrown, depending upon the intensity of the impulses. It will be apparent that the intensity of the vibrating impulses may be controlled by adjustment of the cross bar 26. The intensity of thevibrations of the screen boxes may be increased by adjusting the hand wheel 46 to increase the pressure with which the bar 20 bears against the screen boxes. In response to such increased pressure the plate I9 and member 55 move downwardly against the action of the springs 35 thereby compressing the element actuating springs 52a. Hence, the latter cause the elements 52 to strike the member 55 with a correspondingly greater force thereby increasof the impulses imparted to the screen boxes. In order to lessen the intensity of the impulses the hand wheel 40 may be adjusted to decrease the pressure with which the cross bar 20 bears against 'the screen boxes. whereby to permit the plate I9 and element 55 to move upwardly with respect to the rotor 5I. It will be apparent, therefore, that by varying the pressure of the cross bar 20 upon the screen boxes the intensity of the vibrations of the latter to meet the particular conditions which are presented. The number of elements 52 may be Varied if desired, the number illustrated being by way of example only. In order to enclose the vibrating mechanism the plate I9 preferably carries a sleeve 60'Which ts over the rotor 5I. The use of the oil soaked inserts 54 in the manner described is preferred as it enables a more quiet operation of the apparatus than can be obtained if4 the elements 52 are of an all metal construction. A further advantage is that wearing of the parts is-maintained at a minimum, the absorbed oil in the inserts servingto lubricate the contacting surfaces. The inserts have long Wearing characteristics but can bereadily replaced whenl their wearing has progressed to an objectionable extent.

The motor shaft 30 carries a drive pulley 6I which is connected by a belt 62, to a reducing pulley 63, the latter being carried by a laterally extending arm 64 (Figure l) of the plate 24. The pulley 63 is formed or provided withA a hub-like extension 65 by which it is mounted upon a stub shaft 65a. The said extension is formed with a pulley groove 66. A belt 61 fits connects the pulley 63 to a pulley 68 which is supported upon the ring 23 by pulleys 69 which are mounted onthe saidy ring. The pulley 68, therefore, is adapted to be rotated by the motor 21 through the reducing pulley 63.. During the operation of the vibrating mechanism the operation of the rotor 5IV tends to rotate the screen boxes in an anti-clockwise direction. The belt in the latter and 61,` therefore, which connects the pulleys 63 and 88 is preferably twisted as at 61a, whereby the latter is rotated in a clockwise direction. The

tendency, therefore, of the screen boxes to rotate in one direction asa result of the rotation of the rotor in that direction is counteracted by' the tendency of the pulley 68 to rotate the boxes in the opposite direction.A Hence, if desired, the screen boxes may be vibrated in the manner described while they remain stationary insofar as langular movement is concerned.

It'will be apparent from the foregoing that during the operation of the vibrating mechanism the pulley 68 is caused to rotate continuously, it being noted that the speed'at which the said ring rotates is relativelyslow 'owing to its connection to the motor by the reducing pulley 63. To the end that the screen boxes, if desired', may

i be caused to rotate continuously by the pulley engages a post 22 it causes the ring 23 to rotate. Thus the screen boxes may be rotated and vibrated simultaneously, the rotation of the boxes in the manner described `facilitating the ydistribution of the material over the screening surfaces.

Means is provided whereby the continuous rotation of the pulley 68 may be utilized to cause intermittent rotation of the screen boxes. To this end the ring 23 carries diametrically opposed rpins 'H and lla (Figures 2 and 4). In order to effect intermittent rotation of the screen boxes the clutch element is moved to the position shown in Figure 4 in which position it engages the pin 1I. to engage the latter through substantially, one half of a revolution, during which timethe screen boxes are caused torotate through the same angular distance. As the pulley 68 reaches the limit of the half revolution it approaches a deflector 12 which is carried by the stub shaft 65a. The deflector overlies the twisted portions 61a of the belt. As'the clutch element 10 approaches the deflector 12 the free end thereof is engaged by that portion of the belt which is moving away from the pulley 68 toward the pulley groove 66,

whereby the free end of the element is pivoted outwardly beyond the end of the element 1 i. The

driving connection, therefore, between the pulley'.

68y and the ring 23 is broken. As the clutch element 1G is disengaged from the pin H in the' manner described itI movesV upwardly upony the defiector 'l2 (Figure 5) land is held in this position until it passes the intersection of the twisted portion ofthe belt. When the clutch element passes beyond the deiiector 12, the free end thereof falls b-y gravity to its down, or operative, position. From the time that the element 10 returns to this position until it engages the pin 1 la. which 'is diametrically opposite the pin 1| the pulley' 68 is disconnected from the ring 23. Hence, during such time the screen boxes remain stationary. Upon engagement of the clutch element 1D with the pin lla the screen boxes are again moved through an angle of substantially l80degrees in the manner described.

It will thus be apparent that the clutch element 10 is operative in its full up position to ef-` Vend of the element.

The clutch element 10 is adaptedfect continuous rotation of the screen boxes while it is operative in its full down position to effect intermittent rotation of the screen boxes. In order to render the clutch element-'10 operative so that the screen boxes may be vibrated while they are stationary insofar as angular movement is concerned means is provided whereby the said element may be readily detached from the pulley 68. To this end it is secured to the pulley by a bracket 13. The latter carries a flat pin 14 which is adapted to fit in an opening 15 formed in one Access to the opening 15 is had through a slot 16. The clutch element maybe secured to the pulley ring 68 by holdingv it in such a manner that the walls of,the slot 16 are substantially parallel with the flat sides of the pin 14. When 4the parts are arranged in thisposition the pin 14 may be caused tov enter the opening 15 and in this position the` clutch element 10 may be manipulated in the manner described. s

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the screen bearing frame is pivotally supported as a unit between the members 34 of the ,supporting structure. In the operation of the machine it is preferred that the screen boxes be arranged at an angle with respect to the vertical, for example, at the angle shown in Figure 1. When the boxes are arranged in this manner the inclination of the screening surfaces in conjunction with the vibratory movements of the. screen boxes tendsto cause the material to flow over the screening surfaces in the direction that the screen boxes incline. In other words, the tendency of the material is to flow from the high sides of the screen boxes toward the low sides thereof. However, as the latter rotate they tendto carry the material with them in the direction of rotation. Hence when the screen boxes are arranged at an angle the inclination of the screening surfaces in conjunction with the vibratory movements to which the screening surfaces are subjected tends to cause the material to flow from the high sides of the screens toward their low sides, while at the same time the rotary movement of the screens 'tends to carry the material in circular paths. Therefore, when the screen `boxes are rotating theA tendency of that portion of the material which is being carried from the lovv sides to the high side of the boxes to flow toward `the low sides thereof Ais counteracted, while the tendency of the material which is being carried from the high sides of the boxes to the low sides thereof vto flow toward the low sides of the boxes is increased by the rotary movement of the screen boxes. The latter are preferably adjusted at such an angle that the rotary movement of the screen boxes causes the material to move incontinuous paths despite the counteracting effects of the factors described. Thus the material is caused to distribute itself uniformly over the screening surfaces of the s boxes and such uniformity of distribution is maintained during the operation of the apparatus without substantial accumulation of the material in the low sides of the boxes. Grading or separation of the material into itsl desired components is, therefore, facilitated.

Intermittent rotation of the screen boxes in the manner described has the advantage that during pauses the material in the high sides of the boxes is caused to move, .as a result of the inclination of the-boxes and the vibratory movements towhich they are subjected, toward the low sides of the boxes. The apparatus is so ngers being held apart by the rods.

designed that when a substantial part of the material accumulates in the low sides of the boxes the-latter are rotated a half revolution before again pausing. During this movement the low sides of the boxes are elevated while the high sides thereof are lowered, whereby to elevate those sides of the boxes in which the material has accumulated. Hence during the subsequent pause the accumulated material ows across the screening surfaces toward the low side of the boxes in the manner described. This mode of operation is particularly desirable when the screen boxes are of an elongated construction as, for example, of the rectangular construction shown in dotted lines in Figure'. When boxes of this type are employed the apparatus is so adjusted that during pauses of the boxes the latter are inclined in the direction of their length. Hence during a pause the material, owing `to the inclination of the screens and the vibratory action to which they are subjected, moves across the entire length of the screens into the low side of the boxes, after which operation the Vboxes are rotated through an angle of 180 degrees to again elevate the material.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the material during the screening operations is caused to move continuously over large areas of the screening surfaces while being maintained in a violently agitated condition. Grading of the material is, therefore, facilitated while blinding of the screening surfaces is prevented.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8 the cross bar 'i1 by which the screen boxes I5 are secured in the apparatus is connected to the cross head 38 by a headed bolt 18. The latter ts loosely in an opening'iil and carries a spring 88. 'Ihe` spring is arranged between the cross hea'd 38 and the bar l1, vwhereby the latter may be held .against the screen boxes under the desired tension. In this construction the cross bar 'i1 is caused to bear with the desired pressure upon the screen boxes by adjusting the cross head 38. To this end the cross head is formed from a bar of suitable material, the said bar being formed at each end to provide co-operating fingers 38h (Figure 9). The said fingers are formed with depressions 38e which co-operate to provide passages for the rods 22. The fingers and depressions 38b and 38e respectively are so formed that the fingers resiliently engage the rod 5, the The ngers 3817, therefore, resiliently engage the rods and, owing to the functional engagement between them and the rods, hold the cross head in the desired position upon the rods. The frictional engagement between the fingers 38h and the rods 22 is preferably increased by springs 40a which are carried by bolts lila, the springs 40a being adapted to urge the ends of the fingers toward one another. The bolts Ma. carry keys 42a which are tapered at their pivoted ends as at 42h, the tapered ends of the keys co-operating with the adjacent converging sides 38d of the lingers so that by moving therkey from the position shown in Figure 8 to a substantially horizontal position the fingers are spread apart to release the rods 22. After the keys 42a are oper- 5 ated in this manner, the cross head 38 may be readily moved along the rods to the position desired. Thereafter the said keys may be loweredV to permit the lingers 38h to again engage the rods 22.l In order to prevent injury to the body of the cross head, the latter is preferably reinforced adjacent the inner ends of the fingers by tie-bolts 43a.

A modied form of vibrating mechanism is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. In this embodiment the elements 8| are tubular in construction and are formed or provided with a partition or web 82 intermediate their ends. The said web divides the element into chambers 83 .and 84, the former providing recesses for the inserts 85 while the latter are adapted to accommodate the ends of the springs 86. In this embodiment the elements 8| co-operate directly with the plate 81 upon which the screen boxes are supported. To thisend the ratchet-like elevations and depressions 88 and 88 respectively are formed inthe plate itself. An advantage of this construction is that economy and simplicity in construction are obtained. As in the embodiment heretofore described the plate 8l preferably carries a sleeve 90 which fits Vover the end of the rotor to house the elements 8|. Suitable packing 9| may, if desired, be employed to seal the joint between the rotor and sleeve. In other respects the construction disclosed is similar to that described in connection with the embodiment heretofore described.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus of the character described including a motor, a frame supported by said 40 motor, a screen carried by said frame, means including said motor for vibrating said screen and means for pivotally supporting said assembly at a point between said motor and said screen so said frame and motor may be adjusted as a unit 45 relative to said supporting means, whereby the angle of inclination of said screen may be varied at will, said motor serving to counterbalance the weight of said frame and screen.

2. Apparatus of the character described inl50 cluding a screen, a frame in which said screen is arranged, mechanism for vibrating said screen, said frame including uprights, a cross-head for securing said screen in said frame in co-operating relation with said vibrating mechanisms, the 55 ends of' said cross head including fingers which resiliently engage said uprights and secure said cross head against movement and means for spreading said fingers to release them from said uprights, whereby said cross head may be ad- 30 justed upon said uprights.

WILLIAM L. WE'I'I'LAUFER. 

